Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS)

Sydney’s most loved museums will open for FREE on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June – THIS WEEKEND.

Now in its second year, the Free Museum Weekend invites visitors of to explore Australia’s first museum, the Australian Museum, and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) at the Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Observatory.

In 2015, the inaugural Free Museum Weekend attracted crowds of more than 50,000 visitors across both museums, marking the introduction of Kids Free, a commitment by the NSW Government to provide free general admission for school students and children 16 years and under visiting both museums.

Since Kids Free began, the Powerhouse Museum has experienced over 60% growth in children’s visits with over 195,000 children visiting the Museum in FY2015-16 to date. The Australian Museum saw more than 150,000 children visit over the same period – a significant increase. The Free Museum Weekend would build on the popularity of the Kids Free initiative.

Visitors to the Australian Museum can experience the award-winning exhibition Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 greatest explorers, a celebration of the pioneers and adventurers who shaped the history of our nation and our understanding of the world around us, while those visiting the Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Observatory will be the first to participate in Tanabata: Star Village, a collaborative community art installation celebrating the Japanese fable of the night sky.